I fully agree with Ambassador Scheffer in that the ICC must be given some sort of teeth, some way to enforce its indictments and rulings, if it is to ever fulfill its mission of ending international mass atrocities and crimes against humanity. The Obama Administration’s recent initiative to provide monetary compensation for individuals who aid in the arrest of an indicted person is definitely a step in the right direction, but is no where near sufficient to rectify the issue of enforcement for the ICC. The US’s “carrot” approach must be paired with a “stick.” The current approach, which places enforcement efforts in the hands of each individual party state, is entirely ineffective given that those who are indicted are the leaders of these states, who retain total control of local police and law enforcement organizations. When other countries (especially the US) intervene, they meet much resistance. The only real solution, as I see it, is the creation and establishment of an international police force that combines forces from all party states, thereby deflecting responsibility, burden, and criticism from one nation alone.
David Scheffer
Professor of Law
Comment on the Arrest Lecture Question: “What steps can and should the ICC take to secure the arrest and surrender of indictees?”
I fully agree with Ambassador Scheffer in that the ICC must be given some sort of teeth, some way to enforce its indictments and rulings, if it is to ever fulfill its mission of ending international mass atrocities and crimes against humanity. The Obama Administration’s recent initiative to provide monetary compensation for individuals who aid in the arrest of an indicted person is definitely a step in the right direction, but is no where near sufficient to rectify the issue of enforcement for the ICC. The US’s “carrot” approach must be paired with a “stick.” The current approach, which places enforcement efforts in the hands of each individual party state, is entirely ineffective given that those who are indicted are the leaders of these states, who retain total control of local police and law enforcement organizations. When other countries (especially the US) intervene, they meet much resistance. The only real solution, as I see it, is the creation and establishment of an international police force that combines forces from all party states, thereby deflecting responsibility, burden, and criticism from one nation alone.